Saturday, September 12, 2009

Saturday thoughts

Yesterday I spent time working on some things around the house, and cooking some stuff for this weekend at the church...we're having a special event tomorrow night with elements of surprise, so I won't go into the details here...coming later. This morning I had a wonderful time going with my friend Lisa to another friend, Juleen Stramiello's yearly open house/sale. WOW. I was incredibly impressed. I bought something I'm using for this weekend's special event! :) I also ordered some special things for Christmas. Ahh....can you believe it's coming so soon? This evening we're celebrating Lisa's birthday. Looking forward to more fellowship with friends. In between I'm cleaning more and making some additional things the event we're having tomorrow. It's a full but a fun day. While I'm working we're watching the Tea Party in Washington. How amazing. Would have loved to have flown to this with a few friends.

Before going back to my cooking and cleaning prior to the party, I thought I would share a thought from the Word today that I'm reading...

"Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking." Colossians 3:15 How many times are we not at peace because of what our thoughts are fixed on? Isaiah 26:4 says, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." The King James Translation says, "Him whose mind is stayed on thee..." What we have our minds "stayed on" is so important. Lately I have had to be very careful to bring my thoughts under control, more than usual. I have gone to great measures to protect myself from negative thoughts, so that I can keep the attitude God wants me to have. (I don't always succeed, but I'm experiencing progress.) I have experienced a trial with my physical health the past year, certainly not to the level that many of my friends have, such as the Mackley's. It pales in comparison but it has been my own journey of not feeling well. Through that I've had to try to maintain proper perspective. I have other friends who are dealing with physical, emotional, family, financial, marriage, ministry challenges and more. I am praying for so many who are going through heavy things. What a privilege it is to change history through prayer and fasting. Lately a few friends have had breakthrough miracles and it's just amazing to be even a small part of that through praying for them.

For me, praise and prayer helps me keep my focus. Last night as I was cooking, Dustin came into the kitchen and remarked about the music I had on -- it was high praise, the kind of stuff that makes you want to wave a hanky and run around the room. He says, "Mom, why are you always listening to this?" I said, "Because I like it and because I need to!" Going about my day hearing songs like, "Praise Him in Advance" and "Blessed" and "There's a Blessing in the Storm" take me and my thoughts to a higher place. For those of you who may actually be reading a blog on the weekend (I realize many take a break from reading them on the weekends) what do you do to keep your thoughts where they belong? Do tell.

1 comment:

susan
said...

I have struggled with this alot lately but I am learning to replace the negative with something positive. I have been thinking about all the Blessings in my life and you are at the top of that list. I thank God for you everyday.